THE IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN (PCNA CYCLIN) IN MALIGNANT AND BENIGN EPITHELIAL OVARIAN NEOPLASMS AND CORRELATION WITH PROGNOSIS

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)/cyclin is considered to be a marker of cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of PCNA/cyclin in epithelial ovarian neoplasms (EON) as well as the possible correlation with degree of differentiation, tumour stage and overall survival. The material consisted of 34 benign and 40 malignant EON. Positive nuclear staining was detected in 2/34 (6%) of benign and 23/39 (59%) malignant EON (P < 0.001). Most cases in the high proliferation group were diagnosed in advanced clinical stages. There was no difference in overall survival between nuclear PCNA positive and negative patients, as well as the high and the low proliferation group. In conclusion, the role of PCNA as a marker of malignant potential and prognosis in EON merits further investigation.